Improvement in toe-weights for horses



J. EVERETT.

Toe-Weight for Horses.

No. 217,454. Patented July 15, I879.

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UNITED'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN EVERETT, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN T'OE-WEIGHTS FOR HORSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 217,454, dated July 15, 1879; application filed February 19, 1878. 1

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN EVERETT, of the city of Columbus, in the county of Franklin, State of f Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Side and Toe Weights for Horseshoes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to. the accompanying. drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a horseshoe with my improved weight applied at the toe thereof, the position of the horses hoof being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 2 isa section and elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1. .Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a horseshoe with my improved weight applied atthe side thereof. Figs. 4 and 5 indicate the effect of the adjustable weight when applied at different heights upon the horses hoof. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of the weight and tang, showing the manner of unit ing thetwo, so that the weight may be moved up and down.

Like letters in all-the figures indicate corresponding parts.

The object of my invention is to provide a weight for horseshoes which shall be capable of being adjusted to different heights upona tang connected with the shoe, and located at front or upon the side thereof, so that the throw of the horses foot may be governed, as in all toe-weights, and at the same time the action at the knee and fetlock-joints may be controlled. A

To accomplish this the invention consists in providing the shoe with a tang, upon which a weight is made adjustable by means of a setscrew, said weight being also reversible upon the tang, so that its center of gravity may be caused to move through the greatest possible distance, all of which will be hereinafter fully described, and then pointed out in the claim.

A is the horseshoe, and B the tang, forged thereon in front or at the side, as is found most desirable.

The tang is slightly wedge-shaped in horizontal section, and receives the weight 0, which is provided with a slot or groove corresponding in shape with the tang. The two form a sort of dovetail joint, rendering it easy to slide the weight up or down or to re move it entirely, if desirable.

When in proper location, the weight is clamped by means of the set-screw a, which bears against the tang in a manner easily understood.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the center of gravity of the block or weight G is located above the position of the set-screw a. In.

case it be found desirable to locate the center of gravity very near the shoe it is only necessary to reverse the block upon the tang; and in order to place this point as high as possible above the shoe the block is raised as high as the set-screw will permit.

It has been found that the nearer the weight is to the shoe the greater will be the knee and fetlock action of the horse, and therefore the greater the liability of the horse to cut himself during rapid trotting or running, as indicated at Fig. 4. To avoid this cutting, the weight should be elevated more or less, as indicated at Fig. 5.

In case the knee and fetlock action be not free enough, it may be readily improved by the application of the adjustable weight.

Thus, by making the weight adjustable, the one device will answer to obviate cutting or to increase the free action of the joints, while it at the same time has a tendencyv to improve the throw or reach of the horses foot, as in all ordinary toe-weights.

An application of the adjustable weight to either side of the shoe tends to obviate any unnatural or undesirable movement of the foot, as in interfering, spreading, &c.

The improved weights may be applied to any form of shoe, and are found to be efficient for the purposes intended, cheap, durable, and not liable to become displaced.

I am aware of previous forms of toe-weights made a part of the shoe or incased in a boot intended to envelop the horses foot. To these forms I desire it understood that I lay no claim; but,

Having thus fully described my invention, what I do claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In combination with a tang connected with a horseshoe at the toe or side, the herein-described weight made reversible and vertically adjustable upon the tang, and provided with a setscrew, bymeans ofwhich it may be secured at any point, substantially as shown and de scribed.

Witnesses: JOHN EVERETT.

H. L. JoNEs, 0. P. BAKER. 

